You may or may not have heard about Virginia Speigels Collage Mania II event to raise money for the ACS to be held in May of this year. You can visit her website here for all the details. I decided that even though collage is not really my thing I would create and donate a piece for this very worthy cause and here is the piece I created:
8"x10" Background is layered painted tissue paper. Purchased mulberry paper and skeleton leaves. Mounted on mat board.
Now I have a question for all of you. I am toying with the idea of creating a new online class entitled Creative Mixed Media Journaling Techniques. This would be a longer term online class. Either a 26 week class or a two part class that runs 13 weeks each and would cover a wide variety of mixed media paper and fiber techniques. Here's a working description of the class:
In this workshop students will create one or more journals centered around the themes of their choice. We’ll spend 26 weeks exploring a wide variety of fabric and paper art technique that the students can use while filling their journal. Some suggested themes to explore might be nature, home, family, cooking, travel, music, or broader themes such as texture or color. For those who don’t wish to choose a theme at the beginning then a sample journal filled with samples from all the lessons can be created. Students will be guided through several techniques that they can use to embellish the pages of their journals and will be encouraged to suggest different techniques and processes for study during this workshop. We will not be limited to just what’s on the workshop syllabus! It is expected that students will ask “what if” as we work our way through the workshop and that will lead to further topics for discussion and exploration. The instructor is very open to adding additional lessons and instructions as the workshop progresses.
This workshop is designed to be very interactive and the instructor will encourage regular updates from all the students and will be available via the forums and direct email 7 days a week.
The class will explore a wide variety of techniques for working with, coloring and texturing both fabric and paper. Image transfer processes, wet and dry coloring media, making paper, alternative paper surfaces and a ton more techniques for both backgrounds and embellishments.
So I'm wondering what the interest level is in a longer term class. Is 26 weeks too long? Is it better to have two 13 week sessions and the choice of signing up for one or both? I'd love to get some feedback on this. If you'd rather not leave a comment feel free to email me directly at suebleiweiss@yahoo.com
Sue, I like the idea of a 13-week (or shorter) class. Someone mentioned modules which would be even better. Smaller payments and smaller time commitments work better for me.
Posted by: Charmion | January 21, 2008 at 08:41 PM
That's a beautiful collage, Sue. It's going to be a wonderful event!
Posted by: Michelle | January 17, 2008 at 05:15 PM
Sue - Thank you for donating your wonderful collage to Collage Mania II. Your ATC is on the way! Warm regards, Virginia
Posted by: Virginia Spiegel | January 17, 2008 at 08:57 AM
The class sounds great. But yes, 26 weeks is too long. I like the 4 module idea, too. Or perhaps two sessions a week?
Posted by: Jeannie Crockett | January 17, 2008 at 06:33 AM
The class sounds very interesting and something I would want to do to further my knowledge and experiments.
I know that from my point of view 26 weeks would be too long for me. All sorts of things can crop up in that time to take me away from the course. Getting back on track is such a difficult thing to do and then maybe the course doesn't get finished.
Smaller, bite sized, classes would be better for me.
Posted by: Alis | January 17, 2008 at 06:15 AM
Beautiful collage!
I also think 26 weeks is too long, even 13 weeks would be too long for me.
Posted by: Francoise | January 17, 2008 at 02:47 AM
I agree with the others Sue. It's a heavy commitment to sign up for 26 weeks. I think more peole will sign up for shorter classes, but maybe have about 4 modules of about 6 weeks each. I would love to join in.
Posted by: Mags | January 16, 2008 at 07:09 PM
This sounds just like the sort of class I have been looking for! However, I would rather prefer two classes. This is, on one side, a question of cost - I can more easily pay two classes that one larger amount for one class. On the other hand, if I realize that this is not what I have been looking for, one class might prove to be enough.
Just my two cents etc. etc.
Angelika
Posted by: Angelika Westermann | January 16, 2008 at 04:16 PM
I would love to do your class, but I would also like it to be split into 2 x 13 weeks for 2 reasons. (1) I may not be able to afford it all in one payment. (2) I have to work full time and it is sometimes difficult to keep up with my hobbies, much as I love my hobbies and loathe my job! Pauline
Posted by: Pauline Charlesworth | January 16, 2008 at 02:57 PM
The collage is beautiful! I agree with most of the other commenters - 26 weeks might be too long for a lot of people. I think splitting it up into smaller amounts would work better and give you more people signing up.
Posted by: Ruth Lane | January 16, 2008 at 02:24 PM
I am going to be teaching in a local sewing machine center in the spring and I was worried about an 8 week class length. If you could take the same material and split it into smaller manageable sizes, I bet you would have a better response.
A 26 session class is half a year. . . .
Posted by: Debra Spincic | January 16, 2008 at 10:48 AM
Hi Sue,
I would be interested in the class, and I agree that 13 weeks would probably be better. I am a quilter, but am very interested in learning more about mixed media, about which I know next to nothing. (I will be in your joggles class starting next week). This new class you've described sounds interesting. And I love your collage!
Posted by: Kristin Farwig | January 16, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Although I would be up for the challenge of a 26 week class (and will most definitely sign up!! as it sounds wonderful) coming from a business standpoint -- you are always better off (in my humble opinion) to offer people options -- particularly when a "commitment" is involved as some folks get nervous with the thought of a long term commitment. And while in the end, they may run the gamut, the first thought of a 26 week ordeal may frighten some away who would otherwise perhaps try a 13 week.
Either way - count me in sister!!!
Posted by: Cathie | January 16, 2008 at 10:27 AM
I agree. Even 13 weeks can seem a long time, but at least *sort of* managable. When I take 5-6 week classes, it seems like before I turn around, it's time for a new lesson.
The paper making component of yours really interests me tho.
btw..I'm really wishing now that I'd made my collage for F&S a tad smaller and could have sent it to Virginia.
Posted by: Sequana | January 16, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Wonderful collage. The class sounds good, but you know I'm addicted to classes. 2 13 week ones would probably be better for most people and also will make it more affortable for more students. I need a kick to get journalling-not just making the books. Sandy
Posted by: Sandy Jandik | January 16, 2008 at 09:53 AM
Love the collage. Great colors.
Posted by: Terri | January 16, 2008 at 09:10 AM
Great idea for a new class! I'd suggest 2 13-week sessions. 26 weeks is a BIG, BIG commitment! 13 weeks is only a BIG commitment!
Posted by: vicki | January 16, 2008 at 08:03 AM